Wednesday 29 June 2016

Caerleon, The Roman Fortress Of ISCA - A Toddler Explores

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Caerleon, the Roman Fortress of ISCA, is just a few miles from Cardiff. There is an amphitheatre that could hold up to six thousand spectators, the finest remains of Roman barrack buildings in Europe and a museum. We took Bear to explore the amphitheatre and buildings. He was feeling a bit poorly as he had a cold so our visit was cut short when he got tired and we didn't get to walk the Roman walls. Maybe another day.

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Monday 27 June 2016

Dragons, Lions and Rabbits

It's been a funny week, and not funny haha. Funny in that we have had so many highs and lows. Dragons, Lions and Rabbits, I nearly called it bullies, bunnies and brexit but that was too depressing.


We started the week with Bear not sleeping through the nights leaving Mummy and Daddy very tired especially as Bears Mummy had pain in her back that wouldn't go so we all went to Ystrad Mynach Hospital so she could have an x-ray. We were surprised at how modern and wonderful it was.

Bear quickly spotted a Dragon in the courtyard.


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Bear just checking if this Dragon bites.

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Sunday 26 June 2016

#MySundayPhoto number 26


#MySundayPhoto number 26 is of Bear reading his book in his tent. I just loved the way the sunlight lights up his face and his book.



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Friday 24 June 2016

How To Start A Family Tree

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Would you love to trace your family tree but are not sure where to start? How To Start a Family Tree along with The Golden Rules Of Family History Research will gently guide you through the wonders and pitfalls of starting your own family tree. A word of warning though, once you start it is addictive, time consuming and expensive! I have been tracing my family tree for over eight years and as more and more information is digitalised and put onto the internet it does make research quicker and easier but it also makes errors easier too. This is the first of a series of posts to get you started, prevent you from falling into the beginners traps, help you break down brick walls and give you tips that I have picked up over the years.

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Letter to My Grandson

Dear Bear,

I am sorry. I did my best and I voted for your future but sadly too many people thought differently and voted against me.

My role as your grandmother is to love you; care for you; to hug you when you are sad or tired; to play with you; to protect you; to leave a better place than my grandparents knew; to make you confident and strong to face these things alone; to reassure you that Dragons don't bite. Every day I do my best but I am not alone.

There is a big world out there that doesn't think like me. There are people who are scared of foreign parts and think that just maybe Dragon's live there that bite and take all our treasure. They think that we are stronger alone but I know we are stronger together. As a team, a community we are powerful.

We were teaching the Dragon to share, to not bite, to accept us all as the same. All of us having the same value and worth. That one nation isn't Greater than any other.

I hope I am wrong. That I made a mistake. That those who wanted to go it alone are the brave, fearless visionaries. I hope they do well and that you can look back and be pleased they won.

Just remember that we make our own futures. You are strong and brave and can be anything you wish. Have a dream and go for it.

Together we are Bear and Cardigan. We are strong.

Your loving Nanny

xxx



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Walnut Tree Farm Park - A Toddler Explores

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We have been driving past Walnut Tree Farm Park for years. We often visit a garden centre opposite, Greenmoor nurseries, and never knew it was there! It's on the B4239 close to St Brides Wentlooge, Newport. We decided to go for a quick visit while the weather was being good. I had a look at their website but found it difficult to find the information I wanted; opening times; buggy friendliness; what was there for a toddler. I did see an offer to sign up for their newsletter and get a free bag of animal feed; it seemed like a good deal so I quickly did that and off we went. 
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Monday 20 June 2016

Mini Break in Weston-Super-Mare and Den Building

Mini Break in Weston-Super-Mare and Den Building


We didn't have Bear this week we had a week off. The plan was to catch up on all the little things that need doing around the house and garden. The weather put paid to the gardening, it rained a lot so we decided to visit Weston Super Mare for the day. That turned into an overnight stay and before we knew it the week had gone. Time really does fly past.
I couldn't go a whole week without seeing Bear so we popped over for lunch on Tuesday.


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Bear was surprised to find this huge ball in his garden

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Sunday 19 June 2016

#MySundayPhoto 25


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#MySundayPhoto 25 was taken in Weston Super Mare. We had a week off from looking after Bear to catch up on all those things around the house that needed doing. Instead we pottered about and spent two days away in Weston Super Mare.

 As we were leaving we passed Birnbeck Island with the ruins of the old pier that is the only pier in England that links the mainland to an island. It is a grade II listed building and has been closed to the public since 1994.

It is a sad and fascinating site. The photo's were taken on my iPhone so the close-up is not so good.


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Saturday 18 June 2016

Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival Summer 2016

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I love living in Cardiff, there is always something happening and even though I love going to the theatre I have never been to an open air performance in Cardiff. This year I have been invited* to review some of the many fantastic events at Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival Summer 2016 being presented by Everyman Theatre.

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Friday 17 June 2016

The Golden Rules Of Family History Research

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Anyone who has ever done any serious family history research will tell you there are rules that you must follow. In almost every guide about Family History Research these rules will be there in one shape or another. I have pulled together all the advice I have read over the last eight years and all the lessons learnt from my mistakes, and there have been many, and written The Golden Rules Of Family History Research.

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St Fagans Castle and Gardens - A Toddler Explores

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Not far from Cardiff is St Fagans National History Museum. It is loved for its historic buildings. cottages, toll houses, school, shops and more. What people often miss is St Fagans Castle and Gardens. The Castle is an Elizabethan Manor House dating back to the 16th century.

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Monday 13 June 2016

Trains And Trampolines

This week has been about trains and trampolines, oh and bikes and baby birds. So much has happened. We have had lovely weather with the threat of rain and localised flooding but we escaped it all. On Tuesday we visited Perrygrove Railway and had a fantastic day out. They have a narrow gauge railway, adventure playgrounds and Bears favourite, a wooden train set!

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At the end of the line at Perrygrove. Just waiting for the engine to change ends.

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Sunday 12 June 2016

#MySundayPhoto 24


#MySundayPhoto 24 is a rarity! It's me and Bear at Perrygrove Railway coming down the slide. Why rare? Well I take the photo's so I'm never in them. Grandad took this and it sums up our day. Lots and lots of fun.
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Friday 10 June 2016

Perrygrove Railway - A Toddler Explores

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Earlier in the year I went to a blogger event, Traverse16, and was invited to spend the day at Perrygrove Railway* in the Forest of Dean. They have Toddler Days every Tuesday and are open weekends until the summer holidays when it is open everyday. We only have Bear in the week so we had to wait ages for a Tuesday to be free so we could visit. Here is our review Perrygrove Railway - A Toddler Explores. If you don't have a toddler then you are missing out. This was one of the best days out we have had.
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Tuesday 7 June 2016

Just A Piece Of Rock?

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Is it a precious stone or just a piece of rock?



Bear kisses a piece of rock that he has watched his grandmother kiss. 
He doesn't know why, he just does.

The piece of rock sits on a shelf in his bedroom, in his grandmothers house, next to a photograph.

When Bears grandmother kisses the piece of rock she knows why. 
It's a piece of rock her grandmother used to kiss. 
It used to sit on a shelf, in a bedroom, in her mothers house.

Nearly 100 years ago it was taken from the earth by Bears great, great grandmother. 
Five generations separate them but one piece of rock link them together.

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Monday 6 June 2016

Piglet, Tigger and Pooh

Our week has been influenced by A.A. Milne. I didn't plan it that way but Winnie the Pooh quotes just seemed very appropriate for my Instagram feed and Bear is a bear isn't he? So this week we met two piglets, Bear bounced like Tigger and did we did "nothing" like Pooh.

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Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though.That's the problem.  
A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

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Sunday 5 June 2016

#MySundayPhoto number 23


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#MySundayPhoto Number 23 just has to be of Bear in a field of buttercups. We spent the morning at Dyffryn Gardens and just outside the Manor House was this huge field full of buttercups. He just loved sitting, running and jumping in them.



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Thursday 2 June 2016

Dyffryn Gardens In Spring - A Toddler Explores


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We visited Dyffryn Gardens, in the Vale of Glamorgan, back in March and the gardens were quite bare. Bear absolutely loved it there and we called our visit Dyffryn Gardens - A National Trust Toddler Paradise. Now the weather has warmed up and our garden is looking so green and full of flowers we decided to visit again. Is it worth visiting in Spring? Oh yes! I think it has the most beautiful gardens, a huge arboretum and if you visit after 12 mid day you can tour the house.

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